Music enthusiast brings live charity event to Gastonia

Nathan Smalls recently relocated to Gastonia from Charlotte with a vision and a plan to find a way to give back to his new community.

A native of New Jersey, the music enthusiast wants to use a live music event to help raise money for a homeless teen shelter in the area.

“It is important to me to give back to the community that I work in,” said Smalls. “I want people to come out and have a great time while they are also helping out the less fortunate.”

Gastonia Live will take take place from 9 p.m to 2 a.m. Friday at Vision, 160 W. Franklin Blvd. The event will include live music, DJs and an open mic.

“It’s going to be a good, old-fashioned, soulful time,” said Smalls. “Come ready to put your dancing shoes to work.”

A portion of the proceeds will be going to Discovery Home Care Emergency Youth Shelter. Currently the center has four teenagers inside of its Gastonia location.

Smalls got the idea to throw the event to support the teen homeless shelter after accepting a job with the center the week of Nov. 20.

“I walked around the building the teens stay in and it touched my heart,” said Smalls. “My spirit was overcome with sadness and I told the director that I wish she was out of business. I wish she didn’t have to have a homeless shelter for teenagers. I wish there wasn’t a need for something like this.”

Although Discovery gets some help with costs, Smalls is hoping that this event will help pay for unexpected situations that may require money.

“Sometimes when these teens come to us they have nothing and we have to give them clothing and other stuff,” said Smalls. “The heater also just recently broke in the building and now we have to figure out how to cover the costs of that.”

With a background in throwing music events with his company, R&B Live, Small felt like Gastonia Live was a good way to get people to come out and support a good cause.

“There is so much opportunity to make Gastonia a better place,” said Smalls. “I’m really excited about the potential here.”

Demetria Mosley can be reached at 704-869-1817 or on twitter @DemetriaMosley.

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